Florida Marlins eyeing Kevin Gregg, Kiko Calero for bullpen

Marlins baseball operations president Larry Beinfest said recently that the team’s top priority now is shoring up their bullpen with some veteran arms. The team is looking at two familiar faces to accomplish that goal — Kevin Gregg and Kiko Calero.

Now, I’m sure Marlins fans are still very familiar with all of that unwanted drama provided by Gregg in his two seasons in South Florida — 61 saves from 2007-08 but also 13 blown saves. He had 23 saves and seven blown saves in a rocky 2009 season with the Cubs.
But a person with knowledge of the front offices dealings said today that the Marlins are looking at Gregg for the set-up role and the Leo Nunez will be the team’s closer in 2010. Despite Gregg’s inconsistencies, the Marlins still think he can be helpful in that set-up role and, more important, as a veteran to help guide Florida’s young pitchers.

Calero pitched well for the Marlins in 2009 — 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA in 67 games — but the team decided not to make him a free-agent after the season ended.

Last year, Gregg made $4.2 million and Calero made $500,000. The Marlins are hoping that both will be more affordable as spring training approaches.

The person said no offer has been made yet to either player. The person pointed out that Beinfest is on his way back from Iraq, expecting to return some time today. There’s a good chance the Marlins sign anybody until after spring training starts, the source said, pointing to Ross Gload’s April 1, 2009, acquisition as an example.

Gregg is also drawing interest from the Rockies, among other teams. Calero is in negotiations with other teams, too, including the Cubs.

The Marlins also had their eye on Frank Catalanotto for a bench spot, but he signed a minor league deal with the Mets.

[…] who may have been one of the worst relievers in the market. And now it seems the Marlins are interested in an offer for Kevin Gregg (h/t Hot Stove), he of the former Marlins closer variety. I don’t think I […]